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Intellectual form
MITI DESIGN LAB; is a creative space that exists within and without. The laboratory is a VALUE, which focuses on introspection and awareness, which is based (rooted) within intelligence, supported by the intellect as a process of being.
The LAB is an independent space, which has no geography or physical boundary of existence - it exists as a journey and travels with everything that comes along, resulting in an expansion and contraction of the lab depending on the nature of circumstances.
A multidisciplinary space, dedicated to individual growth and investigation through dependence, interdependence and independence all at once. -
Small is beautiful
The Physical form of Miti Design lab is influenced by the principle of ‘Small Is Beautiful’.
This phrase was first used by British economist E. F. Schumacher in the 1970’s. Schumacher advocated Smallness because it was compatible with greatness and greenness. Mass production, giant corporations, mass consumption, mass transportation lead to the pollution of land, air, water, depletion of resources and most importantly destruction of human creativity. He strongly believed that Small is necessary because it provides the potential for people to be spontaneous, creative, flexible and innovative.
This is a core vision at Miti Design Lab. There is no urge to grow Big in the corporate sense; rather there is a constant endeavour towards remaining Small, to maintain spontaneity, creativity and an individualistic approach within all work and thus giving prime importance to individual creative growth.
* E.F Schumacher : British Economist, 1911-1977. -
Design Is
Design cannot be diagnosed and nailed down into just one definition. Rather Design is experienced, explored and experimented with. Limitless in its being, it is a domain constantly investigated in every medium through which it reveals itself.
DESIGN just IS - and not is this or that.
To define, intellectualize or rather redefine Design; is an experience of moving from the form to the formless; from the micro to the macro and vise a versa; which takes one towards the exploration of holistic design. The investigation is of both material and dematerialized practice - where the definition of material is Nature and of the dematerialized exploration is the examination of thought and concepts - penetrating further into the medium of pure energy space.
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Punctuate
To punctuate effectively; is a vital element in the language of Design. The clarity of what needs to be communicated is important. When any process begins – the Design Of Thoughts has to be clear for a well-defined and communicative design to emerge. Aesthetics are only a support.
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Process vs Outcome
At Miti Design Lab the process is given more significance than the outcome.
“What exists in nature is not just originated and sustained by processes but is in fact ongoingly and inexorably characterized by them." Nicholas Rescher.
Process is the basis of all manifestations. Because of it remarkable nature it does not fade in time. It makes us human and thus alive.
As in the case of all processes, the design process is unique and exclusive, depending on the problem to be solved and the designer at work. The focus on the process rather than the outcome leads itself to a sense of maturing and growth within a designers being, resulting in the process becoming a vital element to build the individual bank of experience, leading to creative enrichment and engagement with the form and thought of design.
And ultimately a sincere exploration of a process is intrinsic to an effective outcome.
Nicholas Rescher : Professor of Philosophy, University of Pittsburgh, USA. -
Theory & Practice
Theory and Practice go hand in hand at Miti Design Lab.
The emergence of professionalism has very successfully penetrated in our day-to day life and reflects in the design industry too. The designer as a professional practitioner has a critical role to play, which is the combination of the talent with the skill to deliver and communicate in a given time frame. This approach has led to increasingly higher standards of professionalism, but whether it has led to better practice is a more open question.
In this realm of the so-called design practice what often gets missed out are the Pauses; a form of Generative Inactivity – which is the study of the subject. Generative Inactivity & Productive Activity essentially facilitate each other.
The constant, simultaneous, alternative or interspersed engagement in both these aspects; in Productive Activity (practice) and in Generative Inactivity (theory); is an essential ingredient that completes the circuit of creative thought and execution, resulting in the Becoming of a Designer.
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Journey
Miti Desai | Founder & Creative Head at Miti Design Lab.
A Designer, Classical Dancer & Educator.
Communication through the external medium of graphic design led Miti to an internal expression of body design, rediscovering Classical Indian Dance. Indian Dance has been the key to the artist’s return to her cultural roots, symbols and world-view resulting in an innate understanding of culture, aesthetics and its influence and inspiration in design, education, arts & the environment.
Her practice in design & design theory emerges from this background while she works towards redefining the designer’s role from being a ‘particular designer’ to A Designer, the one who is able to gather and understand the true power of Holistic Design.
Miti engages in bringing the sense of design into her own body on the one hand, and towards extending it to the environment on the other. -
Inspiration
An ongoing study of thoughts, concepts, philosophies that inspire me, support me, direct me in my engagement with life and creation.
ANANDA YOGA
“To be in a state of joy, always, is the highest spiritual discipline”.
By Swami Shri Harish Madhukar
A vital thought and way of life introduced to me, by my guide Mandakini Trivedi through the medium of dance and community work at Shaktiyogashrama Gurukulam; thus penetrating itself in every action in thought and form.
Soil, Soul & Society
Care of Soil; Care of Soul; Care of Society.
By Satish Kumar
A serendipous meeting with Satish at the Schumacher college in the UK, introduced me to the trinity of wholeness very beautifully articulated, forming the basis of all engagement.
To have or To Be ?
An empirical psychological and social analysis of the two modes of existence.
By Erich Fromm
A concept I stumbled upon via a friend. The logic, the analysis and the benefit of existence with a change in perception, emerges as the a vital source of study.
